Arlen Busenitz

Long Bio (Show Notes)

Arlen Busenitz is the CEO of Destin Dreamers, a luxury vacation rental management company serving Destin and 30A on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Since joining the company in 2019 as one of its first employees managing just eight homes, he has helped grow it into a portfolio of more than 55 luxury properties, ranging from three-bedroom retreats to twelve-bedroom estates. Alongside Destin Dreamers, Arlen also helps oversee several spin-off companies, including Elevated Laundry and Causeway Coffee.

Arlen’s path into vacation rentals is anything but ordinary. He paid his way through college by selling landscape rocks he dug out of his father’s farm fields in Kansas. For 15 years he pastored in Kansas, also serving as a volunteer EMT, firefighter, and teaching Public Speaking and Death and Dying at the community college.

He later came to Florida to work for a defense contractor, where he wrote a major contract for NASA’s Orion Mars test launch recovery mission. To play his part, Arlen overcame his fear of water, became an advanced diver, and served as the underwater photographer as the recovery team retrieved debris from the launch.

After being laid off, he joined Destin Dreamers, where he has since grown into the role of CEO. Today, he’s passionate about helping vacation home owners maximize returns while ensuring guests enjoy five-star experiences.

Married with five kids, Arlen brings his family-first values into his leadership and communication. Having overcome a childhood speech impediment, he is now a confident communicator and speaks regularly at conferences, blending practical business insight with inspiring personal stories.

Short Bio (Podcast Host Intro)

Today’s guest is Arlen Busenitz, CEO of Destin Dreamers, a luxury vacation rental management company in Destin and 30A, Florida. Arlen started with the company in 2019 managing just eight homes and now oversees more than 55 luxury properties along with spin-off companies like Elevated Laundry and Causeway Coffee.

His path is anything but typical — from selling rocks out of Kansas farm fields to pastoring for 15 years, writing a NASA contract, and even overcoming a fear of water to become an advanced diver and underwater photographer for a space recovery mission.

Married with five kids, Arlen is a clear and confident speaker who shares insights on leadership, vacation rentals, and life from both the stage and his real-world experiences.

Workwitharlen.com